Buying Online with Pay Pal... good or bad?

I have run in to Alot of people selling that wont take pay pal, only cash or money orders/money grams. Is pay pal bad or something or is this just people trying to scam?
I like pay pal and I have never had problems with it yet.

If there is something going on with PP that I wasnt informed of please let me know...

I just dont know of to many people sending 6000$ in cash through the mail... a little odd if you ask me.... :confused:

I have had no problems yet. Just try and check rep. of seller before sending payment. There may be a fee for sending money??

I would much rather to send the money through paypal, sending cash in my opinion is a good way to get ripped off. Send the cash the seller drops off the face of the earth and you never hear from them again and you have lost money.:2cent:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jessie_k_pythons

I have run in to Alot of people selling that wont take pay pal, only cash or money orders/money grams. Is pay pal bad or something or is this just people trying to scam?
I like pay pal and I have never had problems with it yet.

If there is something going on with PP that I wasnt informed of please let me know...

I just dont know of to many people sending 6000$ in cash through the mail... a little odd if you ask me.... :confused:

---

I love paypal its safe and secure for both buyer and seller.If someone is selling something for $6000 and they ask you to send cash,i smell TUNA!!!!

Ok that is what I thought... I contacted that girl about that 400GR Albino and she refuses pay pal and only takes cash or money order... she said something about Pay Pal not being safe .... I just want to see if you all felt the same as me
Thanks guys/ girls :) :hug:

going off topic real quick* Ben Siegel? any one heard of him befor ...

Im not new to the reptile world ...just new to the people in it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jessie_k_pythons

Ben Siegel? any one heard of him befor ...

---

yep.

I guess I'll be the bad one here.
I refuse to use paypal, there is really no protection offered and you'd be suprised as to what their TOS states (though how many have really read the whole thing?). I have been screwed by paypal more then once and still have a large sum frozen because paypal says my account is linked to an account with a negative balance. Problem is this was my first and only paypal account. So, I call paypal to ask more information about this other account but they "can't disclose any information due to privacy laws".
Not to mention that Paypal has numerous lawsuits against it right now and they have very little security. Honestly I cringe when people say they keep large sums in their paypal accounts... no. Learned too harsh of a lesson for me to ever say anything good about them. I suggest you do some google searches and see what you dig up.

I don't have anything to say about Paypal one way or the other....however, I would like to point out that someone who doesn't normally sell snakes or anything else over the Internet...who suddenly has a need to sell their collection....may not be set up with a commercial Paypal account, and certainly wouldn't be set up to recieve CC payments. So it would make perfect sense for them to want a money order or somesuch.


That would definitely be a case of "Buyer Beware" and one should consider very carefully before sending money to someone you don't know.

I wanted to add that USPS Postal money orders are a good option.

I've used PP quite a few times to buy over the web. My MK is linked to ProPay and even tho I enjoyed the convenience of being able to accept CCs, once MK made the agreement with ProPay, I try not to use it anymore. I'm tired of paying fees out the nose to have CC money put into checking.....but PayPal, is VERY easy to use. And if someone does scam you, there is "some" bit of recourse through PP. If you send a MO or (why would anyone send CASH???) you have no such luck in recouping any losses.


There's always higher risk, IMO, whenever you shop online with a private dealer/ business/ person.....unlike say, Sears, or Amazon.com-type stores. But for snakes, and esp. the higher $$ morphs, I'll stack the deck of protection in my favor as much as I can.

Good luck, in whatever you decide.

RuLyn

Paypal will only pay you if you do not recieve an item and the seller doesn't have proof of shipping. There is very little chance of getting refunded through PP if you do recieve an item no matter the condition it's in, these have been the experiences of many people I know personally.

I know... I have a very hard time trusting sometimes... With my 2 BP I knew the people. now Im actualy going to trust a breeder. I hope this works out for me...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Entropy

I wanted to add that USPS Postal money orders are a good option.

---

True, but now that I'm selling my horses, I'm VERY leery of the USPS MOs. There are aaaaaaall sorts of warnings and signs plus the scams for the counterfeit MOs that float around.

No matter what happens, buyer AND seller should be trustworthy, but nowadays, it's difficult to be sure. *sigh2*

I hear that.

I was into horses and I currently have two that I'm selling due to an upcoming move. I'm going to miss the horse world.

'Most' of the time it's the gas station/international type money orders that are used in the scam. USPS is a bit more secure. Believe me, I've collected over 14 scam money orders on my horses and seem to get a new scam email every day. *sigh

I would say most of the time they want from me is " Wal*Mart money grams... you do have walmart in your country right?" Ha Ha Ha Right after that I told the guy no deal .... I get that so much ... LOL

another thing is when they say there from another place in the world, or if it is something like this ... i just got this in my e mail about 5 min ago ....

"You looking for ball Pythons right? I have pair of Pieds you take from me but adoption fee required. e mail me back if you would like them."

This says scam all over it! LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JLC

I don't have anything to say about Paypal one way or the other....however, I would like to point out that someone who doesn't normally sell snakes or anything else over the Internet...who suddenly has a need to sell their collection....may not be set up with a commercial Paypal account, and certainly wouldn't be set up to recieve CC payments. So it would make perfect sense for them to want a money order or somesuch.

---

just fyi, getting a business account with paypal so that you are able to accept credit cards is pretty much just a matter of clicking the business account option when you are making an account, or you can upgrade a regular account that you already have. it is pretty much instant and you don't have to do anything special to get it. using paypal has at least some amount of protection even if it is very little--a lot of buyers feel more confident using it than sending payment through the mail via money order or whatever. if a seller won't be flexible with you when it comes to payment for a high dollar snake then you always have the option to go somewhere else so that you can feel more comfortable about the transaction. if it makes you uneasy, don't do it!

I've had 0 problems with paypal and plenty with snail mail. I'm a lot more comfortable paying for things online. Only with reputable folks that I trust, of course, but that goes for either method. I don't think *anything* is foolproof anymore if anything ever was, so it really just comes down to what you're more comfortable with as others have mentioned above. Personally... I prefer paypal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jessie_k_pythons

Ben Siegel? any one heard of him befor ...

---

He's a great seller, very good reputation. Check here in the inquiries, and on Fauna in the BOI... I don't think you'll see a bad word about him. :)

ben siegel is one of the good guys! no problems.



my advice on paypal would be to set up a seperate bank account and credit card just for paypal. and keep only a small amount of funds there. this way if a problem comes up, you don't risk alot. imo, the paypal customer service dept. is a bit lacking and a little reluctant to help solve problems.


vaughn

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kavmon

ben siegel is one of the good guys! no problems.



my advice on paypal would be to set up a seperate bank account and credit card just for paypal. and keep only a small amount of funds there. this way if a problem comes up, you don't risk alot. imo, the paypal customer service dept. is a bit lacking and a little reluctant to help solve problems.


vaughn

---

Dead on with everything there Vaughn. Ben Siegel is a really good guy and has some awesome animals. I've been to his store in FL a bunch of times.

As far as Paypal, keep very little money in there because they have a habit of locking peoples accounts and holding money. They did it to me for a month with around $1500. Additionally, their customer service is very sketchy. I had someone file a claim against me for something I sold him through Ebay (I did a favor for my old job and sold some old computer equipment for them on my account). I sent him the equipment and he claimed that my shipping department didn't pack it good enough and it got broken. Long story short, he filed a claim with Paypal, they ruled in his favor, then reversed it in my favor because he didn't provide some proof and then reversed it back again for no apparent reason and wouldn't even discuss it with me. So Paypal is good for what it is, but like you were always told, use protection! :)

Paypal did not help me, the buyer, when i had a problem. The seller(Top Shelf Exotics) never sent my snakes. When i filled a claim w/paypal they ruled in my favor but there was no money to recover. So i am out 600.00 bucks. Chris Jonhnson needs to go to jail. Sorry i am still a bit sore. I will never use paypal again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WeoStan

Paypal did not help me, the buyer, when i had a problem. The seller(Top Shelf Exotics) never sent my snakes. When i filled a claim w/paypal they ruled in my favor but there was no money to recover. So i am out 600.00 bucks. Chris Jonhnson needs to go to jail. Sorry i am still a bit sore. I will never use paypal again.

---

But how is that any different than sending them a money order? If they cashed the money order how would you get your money back? I use paypal all the time, there are risks with every way you send money. How can they refund you something they don't have?

I will only buy from some one who can take credit cards. That way i will have some way of getting my money back.

I accept credit card payments through paypal. ;)

I admit I've had my share of problems with snail mail. Currently trying to resolve one actually. But there ARE options with money orders, do remember when using a USPS money order they would be breaking federal laws, not just state.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Entropy

I admit I've had my share of problems with snail mail. Currently trying to resolve one actually. But there ARE options with money orders, do remember when using a USPS money order they would be breaking federal laws, not just state.

---

Just cause they can be charged with a crime doesn't mean you will get your money back. :(

Well I've lost a lot less money through money orders then through paypal. Though if paypal does ever decide to unfreeze my $500 I'll be a happy camper.

Edited to add: Paypal doesn't guarantee your money back either. Chargeback or not.

Thats exactly my point, same risk involved no matter what your payment method.

I still will not send money though them. They take what 3% of the money i send to you to right? I will not give money to a company with such poor customer service.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WeoStan

I will only buy from some one who can take credit cards. That way i will have some way of getting my money back.

---

You can use your credit card through paypal and still do a chargeback through your credit card company. Just because paypal says you can't doesn't mean your card company agreed to their TOS. I have heard about people succesfully getting money back from paypal through their CC company. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WeoStan

I still will not send money though them. They take what 3% of the money i send to you to right? I will not give money to a company with such poor customer service.

---

They dont take 3% from you, they take it from the seller. There is no charge to send money in paypal, just to accept it.

Is that not what I said?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WeoStan

Is that not what I said?

---

Comes out of the seller's pocket why would that bother you? :confuzd:

I guess we can agree to disagree. I have used paypal without incident for years now. :) So I can only speak from experience.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wild Bill

I guess we can agree to disagree. I have used paypal without incident for years now. :) So I can only speak from experience.

---

As I mentioned earlier, Paypal does have its faults, but its the fastest and easiest game in town for accepting or paying by credit card. Take precautions and as always, having confidence is who you are buying from is key. A scumbag out to steal your money will do it regardless of how you pay. Paypal offers some recourse for buyers and your CC company as Bill said should offer it as well.

I have not had a problem with paypal, and DID get my money back from a scammer on a certain reptile auction site .... I did use the buyer credit so it was backed by Chase, and that could be the reason I got my money back. If fact it took one phone call and was resolved ........

Neil

Guy's only use credit card's PP will not help you with anything.I will only use credit card's in the future for any online purchase.The Tse thing make's my blood boil , I'm out $429.00 Dollar's with that crook.Good thing the rest of the purchase was made with a CC , I'm going to get part of my money back.Thankfully and yes their is someone looking for him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Comes out of the seller's pocket why would that bother you? :confuzd:

---

Because it comes from my money. Yes it is for you but you never get it. When I had a problem with TSE they were no help. Why should i pay a company that does nothing for me the buyer. Now as a seller, Paypal makes all of the sense the world, so i do see your point.

I have had really good experience with Paypal. It helps people who would otherwise be leery of using their CCard online (hell, I wuold) by acting as a go-between in the mid. of the seller and buyer. I have used it over the last 5 years or so, for ebaying, and love it. The fees are there, and turn some people off, but I think it's worth it; I hate money orders and checks as I want my mon-ay NOW!

From the sellers POV. I used to sell on ebay. 100% positive feedback with almost 90 transactions. I had a buyer pay for a DVD through paypal. They chose basic shipping with no insurance. I sent it. They 'CALLED' me to tell me they recieved it...okay, a bit odd. All good.
Fast forward two weeks and I had a dispute in paypal from this buyer saying they never recieved the DVD. Now if you've ever been on the bad end of a Paypal dispute you know they don't give you ANYWHERE to explain anything. Because I had no proof of shipping other then a post office reciept I could do nothing, if you don't get tracking or insurance and something happens where you have to prove it then you're screwed. It went in the buyers favor, they never did leave me feedback and they blocked my email address. At the time of this happening I couldn't find Paypals phone number to call, it was after this, when they froze my account that I managed to track it down.

I always require insurance on everything I sell. Unf. I too learned the hard way; something similar to your case happened to me when i was selling. I just tacked it up to experience and now require ins. on everything I send. Paypal is a nameless, faceless entity when it comes to trouble in your transactions; I just use it because I hate waiting for MO or checks to clear!

I ship all my ebay stuff through paypal shipping via the postal service, I guess it also works as proof of shipment. :)

Oh the ebay issues aren't what turned me off of Paypal.
Last I sold on ebay I required insurance or delivery comfirmation. These days I tend to use ebay only as a last resort because the inflated shipping prices by many many buyers.

Looks like I started WW3 here LOL

Let me put it this way... If they dont take PP or CC I wont buy. I have yet to have a problem with PP yet. and some one who wont even take a USPS money order is some one I wont buy from.

As for Ben Siegel So far I'm very happy and my little girl is coming to me on the 19th.
http://www.hexibase.com/~jessica/newgirl1.jpg

I haven't had problems with PP. They have actually helped us twice when sellers were trying to dupe us. Last month, we bought a pretty expensive car stereo from this ebay seller; he had marginal feedback but dealt in high volume, so Mark decided to give him a chance.. well, a month went by after we paid, and the seller was not answering our emails, and when he did it was with stall tactics basically saying, well, he dealt in high volume and didn't have time for individual attention. We just wanted our stereo that we paid for the day we won the auction.. so Paypal refnuded us our money. Of course, the seller made a stink about it on ebay, and tried actually revoking our selling account; we replied to them w/the facts and now all is well.
Point being, I never buy from ebay now from anys eller that has marginal or bad feedbacks; not worth a few bucks I might save. Paypal was good as a neutral third party. I never like to give my credit card numbers over the internet,and paypal acts as a middleman so I don't have to.

I dislike checks and money orders b/c I just don;t have time for them to be mailed and cleared.. I want it now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ginevive

I dislike checks and money orders b/c I just don;t have time for them to be mailed and cleared.. I want it now.

---

Yeah I hate M/O's. Unless it's an item I'm selling and it's high dollar and you dont trust the buyer.